A Matter of Ethics: A Lesson Plan About the Meaning of Copyright



The 2010 Educational Technology Plan which includes the 2010-2012 goals and objectives of the Michigan State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) states:


  • Michigan students will have meaningful technology-enabled learning opportunities, including assistive technologies and virtual learning opportunities that develop proficiencies as defined by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (21stcenturyskills.org), required to become lifelong learners, including ethical, safe, and discerning behavior while using information and media technology.

The Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS) for 3rd to 5th grades requires that:


  • Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
  • Students discuss basic issues regarding appropriate and inappropriate uses of technology (e.g., copyright, privacy, file sharing, spam, viruses, plagiarism) and related laws.
  • Students discuss scenarios describing acceptable and unacceptable uses of technology (e.g., computers, digital cameras, cell-phones, Pads, wireless connectivity) and describe consequences of inappropriate use.